I recently adopted a young puppy that we believe is a half german shepard, half husky. Is it possible to train a dog like this to hunt say pheasant? Any info is much appreciated!
Thanks
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
Depends. I'm sure the dog will have the smarts for it but alot depends on the dog. If it has the desire for birds, which you can train them for, and (a big AND) has the ability to range then you can train it as a flusher. To train it as a pointer will probably give you fits. Either way, you are going to have a long road ahead of you. Alot of training materials already assumes the dog has certain natural traits like bird drive, range, stamina, etc. So, much is gonna be fairly useless since your gonna have instill/reinforce these traits.
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
In non-hunting breeds, the "hunting genes" are there, but they are very deeply buried. It will probably be a very tough road to try to bring those hunting genes to the surface.
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Doc E &
HR UH MHR WR SR Black Forest Casey &
HRCH HR UH Sauk River Friar Tucker (titled at 12.5 months)
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
It's not impossible. The post with GS/Rott/Husky mix was able to get a dog that ran ahead or range ahead. The GS side of the dog certainly has the smarts for it but not as strong nose as a bird dog or hound. But it will still find birds. I've heard of a GS professionally trained for birds.
If I own a mix this is how I'd train it. First, get the dog hyped on birds. I'd go out to a game farm, buy a few birds, tie the bird legs to a long string and let the dog at it or pull some wing feathers so it won't fly far.
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
I guess anything will flush birds. Ever Hunted in Mexico? They use bird boys to walk and beat the brush to get up the birds.
There will never be a replacement forthe thrill of a classy bird dog pointing a covey of birds
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
Possible---yes. Usually very difficult, though. ON a bet I once trained a Dachshound to hunt quail. Getting her to lay off the rabbits was the biggest challenge, but she eventually got the message. I got ALOT of ribbing taking her out with the rest of the dogs and their ownersto hunt.
RE: Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
to me its 90% in the dog. some may argue but to me a dog has it or it dont.
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And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth GENESIS 1:28
Is it possible to teach a mut to be a bird dog?
